Focus on the Policy, Not WikiLeaks

We may never know the whole story behind the recent publication of
sensitive U.S. government documents by the WikiLeaks organization, but
we certainly can draw some important conclusions from the reaction of so
many in government and media.

At its core, the WikiLeaks controversy serves as a diversion from the
real issue of what our foreign policy should be. But the mainstream
media, along with neoconservatives from both political parties, insists
on asking the wrong question. When presented with embarrassing
disclosures about U.S. spying and meddling, the policy that requires so
much spying and meddling is not questioned. Instead, the media focuses on
how so much sensitive information could have been leaked, or how
authorities might prosecute the publishers of such information.

No one questions the status quo or suggests a wholesale rethinking of
our foreign policy. No one suggests that the White House or the State
Department should be embarrassed that the U.S. engages in spying and
meddling. The only embarrassment is that it was made public. This
allows ordinary people to actually know and talk about what the
government does. But state secrecy is anathema to a free society. Why
exactly should Americans be prevented from knowing what their government
is doing in their name?

In a free society, we are supposed to know the truth. In a society
where truth becomes treason, however, we are in big trouble. The truth
is that our foreign spying, meddling, and outright military intervention
in the post-World War II era has made us less secure, not more. And we
have lost countless lives and spent trillions of dollars for our
trouble. Too often “official” government lies have provided
justification for endless, illegal wars and hundreds of thousands of
resulting deaths and casualties.

Take the recent hostilities in Korea as only one example. More than
50 years after the end of the Korean War, American taxpayers continue
to spend billions for the U.S. military to defend a modern and wealthy
South Korea. The continued presence of the U.S. military places
American lives between the two factions. The U.S. presence only serves
to prolong the conflict, further drain our empty treasury, and place
our military at risk.

The neoconservative ethos, steeped in the teaching of Leo Strauss,
cannot abide an America where individuals simply pursue their own
happy, peaceful, prosperous lives. It cannot abide an America where
society centers around family, religion, or civic and social
institutions rather than an all-powerful central state. There is always
an enemy to slay, whether communist or terrorist. In the
neoconservative vision, a constant state of alarm must be fostered
among the people to keep them focused on something greater than
themselves – namely their great protector, the state. This is why the
neoconservative reaction to the WikiLeaks revelations is so
predictable: “See, we told you the world was a dangerous place,” goes
the story. They claim we must prosecute – or even assassinate – those
responsible for publishing the leaks. And we must redouble our efforts
to police the world by spying and meddling better, with no more leaks.

We should view the WikiLeaks controversy in the larger context of
American foreign policy. Rather than worry about the disclosure of
embarrassing secrets, we should focus on our delusional foreign policy.
We are kidding ourselves when we believe spying, intrigue, and outright
military intervention can maintain our international status as a
superpower while our domestic economy crumbles in an orgy of debt and
monetary debasement.

Author: Ron Paul

Ron Paul is a former Republican congressman from Texas. He was the 1988 Libertarian Party candidate for president.
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